AIRLINES and tour operators dealing with Egypt, Turkey and even Libya are expecting a surge in last-minute travel enquiries as the March 29 total eclipse approaches.
The path of the eclipse passes from west Africa through the Libyan Sahara to reach the Mediterranean on the Libya-Egypt border. But the southern coast of Turkey around Antalya is gearing up for the greatest influx of visitors.
Thomas Cook normally flies once a week direct to Antalya from five English airports. But it is expanding the number of flights to 14 for the week of the eclipse. Flight only starts from £95, while seven nights’ half-board five-star accommodation starts from £210 per person.
UK operators offering ‘eclipse plus’ tours include Anatolian Sky Holidays. It is offering a £649 five-day package, as well as tailor-made options. Anatolian Sky, like other operators, will be hoping Turkey’s avian flu situation does not deteriorate in the meantime.
According to NASA, the probability of sunshine and a clear view of the eclipse will be 75% on the north African coast, compared with around 60% in southern Turkey. For Egypt, British Airways flights to Alexandria provide easiest access to the border area around Solloum. Local operator Siag Travel has two-night food-and-tent packages, excluding flights and travel, for $180 per person. It also offers desert safari extensions.
Tent accommodation is also being provided in Libya, with camps near Tobruk on the coast and inland at Jalu, although the government is said to have imposed a daily ‘eclipse tax’ on tourists.
Libyan Arab Airlines agent in London Arab Tours said its price of £230 per person per day for a four-day package includes this tax.
Director Simon Khoury expects “tens of thousands of people” to camp out in the desert for the event.
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